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PHI BETA KAPPA

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION

  THE GAMMA ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA  

Association Chartered June 14, 1946

June 2024

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All memberships (except Auto Renewals) expired on December 31.

If you haven’t yet joined, or renewed your membership, it is time to contribute now.

 

From the President

Dear fellow Phi Betes,

What a joy it was to see so many of you at our recent Phi Beta Kappa awards luncheon – our first in four years since the pandemic began! The positive feedback we’ve received has been heartwarming, and it’s evident that everyone relished the chance to reconnect and celebrate the accomplishments of our esteemed colleagues and students. Your presence and active participation made this event truly exciting. I want to express my deepest gratitude to those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to orchestrate this gathering, especially Joanne Sandstrom and Jean James, with assistance from Judy Hardardt, Ray Hendess, and Larry Davenport. Your dedication and meticulous planning truly paid off, as the event was a resounding success.

The ceremony itself was inspiring. We were privileged to honor our exceptional professors with Teaching Excellence Awards, and each graciously shared insights into their teaching philosophies, powerful reminders of the transformative impact of education on shaping the future. Furthermore, we had the pleasure of awarding scholarships to students who have shown outstanding academic achievement and a genuine passion for their respective fields of study. These scholars captivated us all with presentations of their diverse and compelling research projects.

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Asilomar 2025

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Awards - Scholarships

Awards - Teaching

Board

Car Museum -Sacramento

Dogpatch Art Walk

Renew Membership

Treasure Island Museum

Upcoming Events

Regrettably, this year’s celebration coincided with pressing global issues, including the ongoing Israel and Palestine conflict, which deeply concerns us. In times of upheaval, the values upheld by Phi Beta Kappa—intellectual curiosity, academic excellence, and a commitment to lifelong learning—are more crucial than ever. These disciplines foster critical thinking, empathy, and the ability to see the world through different lenses—all essential skills that empower individuals to navigate complex issues like this one. As a community, let us persist in championing these values as we work towards a brighter future for all.

I encourage you to remain actively involved in our community by attending our upcoming events. Your ongoing participation is invaluable as we continue to advocate for liberal arts and sciences education among a community of lifelong learners.

I would like to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to Duncan Missimer for his unwavering dedication as our treasurer throughout the years. While his presence at board meetings will be dearly missed, we look forward to seeing him at our annual events. With great enthusiasm, I warmly welcome Audrey Utchen, our incoming treasurer, who will assume the role from Duncan starting July 1st.

In closing, I thank our dedicated board members, committee chairs, and supporters whose tireless efforts make the Phi Beta Kappa Northern California Association a vibrant organization. 

 

Scholarship Awards presented at the Bancroft Hotel on April 28, 2024


Photography by Audrey Utchen

In fulfillment of its mission to encourage scholarship and research, the Phi Beta Kappa Northern California Association is honoring the following outstanding Phi Beta Kappa graduate students with $10,000 scholarship awards to assist them in completing their educational objectives.

Top row: Alex Ullman (English, UC Berkeley), M. Taylor Black (History, UC Davis), Alexia Hernandez (Linguistics, Stanford, Reed Scholarship), Sophie Cushman (Classical Archaeology, UC Berkeley)

Bottom row: Louisa Brandt (History, UC Davis), Seth Zupanc (Medicine, UC San Francisco), Sarah Manney (Law, Stanford Law, Hendess Scholarship), Yisheng Tang (Japanese Language, UC Berkeley)

Not pictured: Brianne Felsher (Jurisprudence and Social Policy, UC Berkeley), S. Freeman (Geography, UC Berkeley), Marilyn Steyert (Biomedical Science, UC San Francisco, Hardardt Scholarship), Yutong Zhan (History, UC Davis, Norall Scholarship)

The Scholarship Committee: Jeff Fenton, Lynne Fovinci, Rona Giffard, Judith Hardardt, Jean James, Joanne Sandstrom (Chair) 

/teTeaching Excellence Awards presented at the Bancroft Hotel on April 28, 2024

 

Photography by Audrey Utchen

The Teaching Excellence Award, which is given to teachers nominated by their students, consists of a Certificate and a $1000 honorarium.

Top rowErik Ellis (Writing and Rhetoric Studies, Stanford), Peter Minowitz (Political Science, Santa Clara), Giovanni Peri (Economics, UC Davis)

Bottom row: Nasser Zakariya (Rhetoric, UC Berkeley), Olivia Bailey (Philosophy, UC Berkeley, Hasenkamp Award), Sophia Azeb (Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, UC Santa Cruz)

Not pictured: Hadar Dancig-Rosenberg (Legal Studies, UC Berkeley), Wendy Salkin (Philosophy, Stanford)

Teaching Excellence Committee: Andrea Braga, Melisa Lasell, Leilani Miller, Melissa Stevens (Chair)

 

Upcoming Events

Currently, the Phi Beta Kappa Northern California Association suggests masking for indoor activities.

Note: The price stated for events is for current PBKNCA members; elapsed or non-members (except guests of members) will pay a surcharge. Full event information, and means of credit card payment, are available on our website https://pbknca.com/Events/.

If you won’t be able to make an event, contact O’Neil Dillon at oneilsdillon@gmail.com ASAP, or if it is the day of the event call him at 510-207-8761, as there may be others on the waiting list who will then be able to take your place.

No-shows do NOT receive a ref­­­und! Cancellations probably do.

Sign up for events at https://pbknca.com/Events

To register for an event if you don’t have Internet access,

please contact O’Neil Dillon, cell 510-207-8761.

Dogpatch Art Walk, Saturday, June 8th, 2024, 11 AM. $40 Members, $50 Non-members


This exclusive, guided tour of contemporary art will begin at the Minnesota Street Project, a three-warehouse complex dedicated to educating the public through exhibitions, galleries and programs. Led by collector, traveler and art historian Rhoda Becker; participants will have access to galleries, meet owners and collectors, speak with artists, and get an insider’s perspective on this vibrant contemporary art community. Our guide will have previewed the most current exhibits and created a varied itinerary showcasing current artists and works. The Project recommends allowing three hours to view all galleries and visit with the creatives.

The Minnesota Street Project is in Dogpatch, which is the Bay Area’s new epicenter of innovation, craft and artistic expression. The Museum of Craft and Design, the California College of the Arts, the San Francisco Center for the Book, entrepreneurial ventures, and various art spaces make this an internationally recognized art destination. After the tour, people may want to explore this vibrant area further.

Nearby cafes are available for lunch and refreshments, or bring your own and eat in the nearby park.

When: June 8th, 2024, Time: 11 a.m., Length: 3 hours
Where: The Minnesota Street Project, 1275 Minnesota St. San Francisco
Cost: members $40 ($15 for scholarships), Non-members $50 ($25 goes for scholarships)
Parking: Ample street parking

Reservations at https://pbknca.com/event-5381075

or contact O'Neil Dillon at  510-207-8761 or at  oneilsdillon@ gmail.com


Ole! Time for Tapas-Making Class with master chef Chris Kenber, July 20, 2024, 10 AM. Members $50, Non-members $75.

Join us for the Exclusive Tapas-Making Class with our Exclusive Tapas Chef Chris Kenber, Saturday, July 20, 2024 starting at 10:00 am & ending at 3:00 pm.

What an experience this will be for us!  We will meet at Judy Hardardt’s condo in Davis where we will have the chance to not just learn about Tapas but also how to make them.  This will be a “hands-on” experience led by master chef Chris Kenber.  The class will be followed by lunch including the tapas we’ll have made.  By the end of the day, we’ll be going home with freshly made souvenirs. https://pbknca.com/event-5718000


Honk! On the Road to a Car Museum, August 24, 2024, 11:00 AM. Members $25, Non-members $40

Come join a docent-led tour of the California Automobile Museum, housing a collection of over 150 classic cars, race cars, muscle cars and early models. Displays range from a 1900 Locomobile Steam Car up to today’s electric cars. Be sure to check out the Glamour Road exhibit (August 5th to late October) highlighting color, fashion, style and the mid-century automobile.

Located in downtown Sacramento, the museum’s mission is to educate and entertain while preserving and promoting the automobile and its influence on our lives. https://pbknca.com/event-5731580


Past, Present, and Future of Treasure Island, Sept 28, 2024, 10:30 AM Members $30, Non-members $45

Treasure Island Museum, housed in the historic Art Moderne Golden Gate International Exposition Administration

Building, which was also the air terminal for the Pan American Clipper Ships. The second hour or so will be a 3-mile walking tour of the island with sun and wind exposure, but is easy walking.

Gourmet snacks, a bar and restaurants are close by for those wanting to stay for lunch https://pbknca.com/event-5731579.


38th Annual Asilomar Conference Feb 14–17, 2025

 

Register now for 2025 at https://pbknca.com/event-5621925, or use coupon on page 2.


There is an ongoing virtual book club open to interested members.

Contact Program VP O'Neil Dillon at oneilsdillon@gmail.com


 ΦBK Board, July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025
 
 Melissa X. Stevens, President and Teaching Excellence Chair
  Rocklin, (530) 933-1550, melstevens@berkeley.edu

O’Neil Dillon, First Vice President – Programs

     Berkeley, cell (510) 207-8761, oneilsdillon@gmail.com
 Joanne Sandstrom, Second Vice President – Scholarships
    Oakland, (510) 339-1352, joannes@berkeley.edu
 Patricia Kenber, Third Vice President – Membership
    Danville, (925) 838-2296, kenber@sbcglobal.net

Audrey Utchen, Treasurer

   San Francisco, audrey.utchen@gmail.com
 Susan Jenkins, Corresponding and Recording Secretary
     San Jose, (408) 532-6550, sjenkins4@yahoo.com
 Deirdre Frontczak, Asilomar Chair
    Santa Rosa, (707) 546-4238, dfrontczak@santarosa.edu
 Amanda Sanyal, Chapter Liaison
    Campbell, (650) 520-5419, a_derry@yahoo.com
 Ray Hendess, Communications Chair
    Petaluma, (707) 364-7615, rhendess@gmail.com


The editor thanks Dr. Larry Lerner for proofing this newsletter


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